The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to convene to discuss a premises licence application for the Kent Restaurant and Lounge and a review of the premises licence for the Canterbury Arms, as well as any other urgent open or closed business. The meeting will consider the application for a premises licence for the Kent Restaurant and Lounge, and representations received regarding it, and will also review the premises licence for the Canterbury Arms following a request from the Metropolitan Police, and consider what steps, if any, are appropriate.

Kent Restaurant and Lounge - Premises Licence Application

Kent Restaurant and Lounge Limited has applied for a new premises licence for Kent Restaurant and Lounge, located at 516 Old Kent Road, London, SE1 5BA. The application seeks permission for a range of licensable activities, including:

• The sale of alcohol, both on and off the premises.
• Late night refreshment, indoors and outdoors.
• Regulated entertainment, including plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music and performances of dance, all taking place indoors.

The report pack includes the hours of operation that Kent Restaurant and Lounge Limited has applied for. The proposed designated premises supervisor (DPS) is Gilbert Lue-Kong.

Objections to the Application

The application has drawn objections from the Metropolitan Police Service, the council's environmental protection team (EPT), the council's licensing authority, and 15 other persons.

• Metropolitan Police Service: The police representation states that the hours applied for are vastly excessive for a residential area, and that the plans do not accurately reflect the premises' layout. They also raise concerns about a problematic history at the premises and the potential involvement of a previous licence holder, Eric Doe. PC Walter Minka Agyeman, Licensing Officer for Southwark Police Licensing, states that the police object to the granting of the premises licence in its entirety.

• Environmental Protection Team (EPT): The EPT representation also cites the applied hours as excessive, creating a potential risk of public nuisance. The representation includes a list of recommended conditions should the licensing sub-committee be minded to grant all, or part of the application. Raymond Binya, Principal Environmental Protection Officer, recommends that the application be refused, and that hours be brought back into alignment with policy.

• Licensing Authority: The licensing authority representation raises concerns about all four licensing objectives, stating that the hours are excessive and contrary to the licensing committee's policy decisions. It also notes the changing nature of the area, with more residential dwellings being built or planned. Wesley McArthur, Principal Enforcement Officer, advises the licensing sub-committee to interrogate the current tenure of the premises to their satisfaction at the hearing to determine this application.

• Other Persons: The 15 representations from other persons raise concerns about previous poor management practices and the potential for this to be repeated. They also state that the premises' location near residential properties could pose risks to residents under all four licensing objectives, and that the venue is not suitable for a nightclub.

Premises History

The report pack notes that the premises was previously operated as K-Che, which faced two expedited reviews due to serious crime and disorder, ultimately leading to the revocation of its premises licence. There have also been numerous complaints from local residents over the years.

The report pack also notes that Eric Doe, a director of Kent Restaurant & Lounge Limited, has previously held a premises licence for this venue and for the ground floor of 516 Old Kent Road. The company holding those premises licence was Erico Entertainment Ltd, which went into compulsory liquidation in September 2024.

Licensing Policy Considerations

The report pack refers to Southwark's statement of licensing policy 2021-2026, highlighting sections on the purpose and scope of the policy, determining applications, local cumulative impact policies, hours of operation, and the four licensing objectives¹. The premises is located outside of a Cumulative Impact Area, but within a residential area. The recommended closing time under the statement of licensing policy for public houses and restaurants in that location is 23:00 daily.

Canterbury Arms - Premises Licence Review

The Licensing Sub-Committee will also consider a review of the premises licence for the Canterbury Arms, located at 2-4 Maddock Way, London SE17 3NH. The review was initiated by the Metropolitan Police Service following a serious incident on 20 November 2025.

Grounds for Review

The review application is based on a serious incident that took place at the premises on 20 November 2025, resulting in a fatality following a violent altercation. The Metropolitan Police representation states that the victim was ejected from the pub, an argument and physical altercation occurred, and the victim was later found in cardiac arrest outside the premises. The police also state that attempts to collect CCTV footage were hindered, and the system was found to be partially dismantled. PC Maria O'Mahoney and PC Mark Lynch were involved in the police investigation.

The Metropolitan Police representation also states that no contact with the premises licence holder (PLH) or DPS has been established, and it is believed that there is no managerial structure in place.

Licence Surrender

The report pack notes that the premises licence was surrendered on 26 November 2025 by Marie Ann Harrison, the DPS. However, it also notes that it is possible for a transfer application to be applied requesting a reinstatement of the premises licence following surrender.

Operating History

The report pack details a history of changes to the DPS and complaints received regarding the premises since 2019. Complaints include reports of customers loitering outside, noise disturbances, public urination, and incidents of vandalism. The report pack also includes a log of visits to the premises by the Night Time Economy Team (NTET).

Licensing Policy Considerations

The report pack refers to Southwark's statement of licensing policy 2021-2026, highlighting sections on the purpose and scope of the policy, determining applications, local cumulative impact policies, hours of operation, and the four licensing objectives. The premises is located in a residential area, and the recommended closing time under the statement of licensing policy for public houses, wine bars and other drinking establishments in such an area is 23:00 daily.

Interim Steps

The licensing sub-committee implemented an interim step to suspend the premises licence until the full review hearing on 18 December 2025.